12796 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 47 / Monday, March 10, 2008 / Notices 

Federal Transit Administration 

published a notice regarding the 

National Rural Transportation 

Assistance Program Request for 

Proposals (RFP). The DATES and 

Instruction sections of this notice 

should be corrected to read as follows: 

DATES: Proposals must be submitted 

electronically by April 11, 2008. 

VII. Instructions 

2. Proposals must be received no later 

than 5:30 p.m., EST, April 11, 2008. 

Effective Date: This correction takes 

effect on February 26, 2008. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Pamela Brown at 202–493–2503, Fax: 

202–366–7951, or via e-mail: 

Pamela.Brown@dot.gov, or Lorna 

Wilson at 202–366–2053; or via e-mail 

lorna.wilson@dot.gov. 

Issued in Washington, DC this 4th day of 

March, 2008. 

James S. Simpson, 

Administrator. 

[FR Doc. E8–4721 Filed 3–7–08; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–57–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials 

Safety Administration 

[Docket No. PHMSA–RSPA–2004–19856] 

Pipeline Safety: Dangers of Abnormal 

Snow and Ice Build-Up on Gas 

Distribution Systems 

AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous 

Materials Safety Administration 

(PHMSA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice; Issuance of Advisory 

Bulletin. 

SUMMARY: Recent events on natural gas 

distribution system facilities appear to 

be related to either the stress of snow 

and ice or malfunction of pressure 

control equipment due to ice blockage 

of pressure control equipment vents by 

ice. This advisory bulletin advises 

owners and operators of gas pipelines of 

the need to take steps to prevent damage 

to pipeline facilities from accumulated 

snow or ice. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Alan Mayberry at (202) 366–5124, or by 

e-mail at alan.mayberry@dot.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background 

The accumulation of snow and ice 

increases the potential for damage to 

meters and regulators and other pipeline 

facilities. Several accidents occurring 

during the winter of 2007/2008 on 

natural gas distribution system facilities 

appear to be related to either the stress 

of snow and ice or malfunction of 

pressure control equipment due to ice 

blockage of pressure control equipment 

vents. Exposed piping at metering and 

pressure regulating stations, at service 

regulators, and at propane tanks, are at 

greatest risk. Damage may result from 

the stresses imposed by the additional 

loading of the snow or ice. Damage to 

facilities may also result from the 

impact of snow or ice falling from roofs, 

or ice forming in or on regulators 

preventing their proper operation, or 

shoveling snow from roofs to protect 

dwellings from abnormal snow 

accumulation. 

II. Advisory Bulletin (ADB–08–03) 

To: Owners and Operators of 

Petroleum Gas and Natural Gas 

Facilities in Areas Subject to Heavy 

Snowfall or Abnormally Icy Weather. 

Subject: Dangers of Abnormal Snow 

and Ice Build-up on Gas Distribution 

Systems. 

Purpose: To inform owners and 

operators of the need (1) to monitor the 

potential impact of excessive snow and 

ice on these facilities; and (2) to inform 

the public about possible hazards from 

snow and ice accumulation on 

regulators and other pipeline facilities. 

Advisory: PHMSA is advising 

operators of gas pipeline facilities, 

regardless of whether those facilities are 

regulated by PHMSA or state agencies, 

to consider the following steps to 

address the safety risks from 

accumulated snow and ice on pipeline 

facilities: 

1. Notify customers and other entities 

of the need for caution associated with 

excessive accumulation and removal of 

snow and ice. Notice should include the 

need to clear snow and ice from exhaust 

and combustion air vents for gas 

appliances to prevent accumulation of 

carbon monoxide in buildings or 

operational problems for the 

combustion equipment. 

2. Pay attention to snow and ice 

related situations that may cause 

operational problems for pressure 

control and other equipment. 

3. Monitor the accumulation of 

moisture in equipment and snow or ice 

blocking regulator or relief valve vents 

which could prevent regulators and 

relief valves from functioning properly. 

4. The piping on service regulator sets 

is susceptible to damage that could 

result in failure if caution is not 

exercised in cleaning snow from around 

the equipment. Where possible, use a 

broom, instead of a shovel to clear snow 

off regulators, meters, associated piping, 

propane tanks, tubing, gauges or other 

propane system appurtenances. 

5. Remind the public to contact the 

gas company or designated emergency 

response officials if there is an odor of 

gas present or if gas appliances are not 

functioning properly. Also remind the 

public that, if there is a gas or propane 

odor, occupants should leave the 

residence immediately and contact their 

gas company, propane operator or 

designated emergency response 

officials. 

Authority: 49 U.S.C. chapter 601; 49 CFR 

1.53. 

Issued in Washington, DC on March 5, 

2008. 

Jeffrey D. Wiese, 

Associate Administrator for Pipeline Safety. 

[FR Doc. 08–999 Filed 3–6–08; 2:18 pm] 

BILLING CODE 4910–60–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Surface Transportation Board 

[STB Docket No. AB–398 (Sub-No. 7X)] 

San Joaquin Valley Railroad 

Company—Abandonment Exemption—

in Tulare County, CA 

On February 19, 2008, San Joaquin 

Valley Railroad Company (SJVR) filed 

with the Board a petition under 49 

U.S.C. 10502 for exemption from the 

provisions of 49 U.S.C. 10903 to 

abandon a 30.57-mile portion of the 

South Exeter Branch between milepost 

268.60 at Strathmore, CA, and milepost 

299.17 at Jovista, CA, in Tulare County, 

CA. The line traverses United States 

Postal Service Zip Codes 93218, 93221, 

93247, 93257, 93258, 93261, 93267, and 

93270, and includes the stations of 

Strathmore (milepost 268.60), 

Porterville (milepost 274.80), Elmco 

(milepost 280.10), Ultra (milepost 

282.00), Terra Bella (milepost 282.60), 

Ducor (milepost 287.10), Richgrove 

(milepost 294.90), and Jovista (milepost 

299.17). 

The line does not contain federally 

granted rights-of-way. Any 

documentation in SJVR’s possession 

will be made available promptly to 

those requesting it. 

The interest of railroad employees 

will be protected by the conditions set 

forth in Oregon Short Line R. Co.—

Abandonment—Goshen, 360 I.C.C. 91 

(1979). 

SJVR states that the proposed 

abandonment may generate comments 

or replies, and it requests that the Board 

adopt a procedural schedule in this 

proceeding to permit SJVR to file 

rebuttal to any comments or replies 

received. Rather than address the 

request at this time, however, the Board 


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